Kapiti Police investigating the murder of 23-year-old Raymond 'Son' Piper are following up useful information from the public but say more help is needed to find the Paekakariki man's body and the person or people responsible for his violent death.
"It's a month today since Raymond or 'Son' as he is better known to his whanau and friends went missing. I've no doubt that people with intimate knowledge of what has happened to him will be talking about his brutal death and the disposal of his body," said Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam, inquiry head. "We strongly urge anyone with information to urgently contact us, in confidence if needed.
"Please speak up - if not for Raymond, then for his family, his partner and three-year-old son who are in limbo, unable to fully rest or grieve until Raymond's body is found."
Finding a green Mazda Marvie vehicle registration WC9996 at Turakina, south of Wanganui, last week was a breakthrough for the inquiry. Raymond was seen travelling as a passenger in this vehicle in Paraparaumu on Saturday morning, 15 May - the day he went missing from his partner's Eatwell Avenue, Paraparaumu, home.
Where Raymond and the vehicle went after that remains a mystery although the Marvie is known to have been left at a Turakina property some time between 24 and 27 May. The property owner was unaware of this until he found the vehicle in a garage and reported the find to police. The vehicle is now undergoing a meticulous scene examination in Wellington by ESR and police specialists.
The public can help police further by:
• reporting any sightings of Raymond from when he left the Eatwell Avenue home shortly before 9am on Saturday, 15 May
• telling us about the movements of the distinctive green Mazda Marvie WC9996 between 15 May and 27 May - in the Kapiti Coast, Horowhenua, Manawatu and Turakina/Wanganui areas
• descriptions of people who may have been in the vehicle
• reporting any snippets of information overheard about what has happened to Raymond and who might be responsible for his death.
"We've a motivated and experienced police team working on this homicide investigation," Detective Senior Sergeant Oxnam said.
"We're making good progress but there is a lot of critical information that we've yet to uncover. That's where further help from the public and media is vital."
Anyone with information which can help, no matter how insignificant they believe it to be, should telephone police on 0800 FIND RAY or email findray@police.govt.nz or text on 027 241 1394.
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Media contact:
Kaye Calder: Senior Media Adviser: District Liaison
Public Affairs: Police National Headquarters
Mobile: 027 241 6305 or email: kaye.calder@police.govt.nz